There was a point in the not too distant past where Newcastle United’s 2023 summer transfer business was being seriously scrutinised. Rewind to late 2023: Sandro Tonali found himself banned, Harvey Barnes was injured and both Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall were struggling for game time behind Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn respectively.
Fast forward to present day and the last mentioned duo are now showing exactly why Newcastle took a big punt on paying a combined £68m for their services. There is now significant excitement that Livramento and Hall, aged 21 and 19, are well ahead of schedule in regards to becoming Newcastle regulars for many years to come.
The former has been given significantly more game time in recent months, mainly due to Trippier’s injury issues. Now, with the Newcastle vice-captain attracting interest from Saudi Arabia, there is a real possibility Livramento becomes Eddie Howe’s first choice at right-back this term.
Hall’s position is slightly less clear given we don’t yet know who Howe will opt for at left-back when the Premier League season arrives. It could well be the former Chelsea man but it could equally fall to Burn or new signing Lloyd Kelly.
Newcastle’s 2-0 win over Hull City on Saturday saw Hall deployed as a deep-lying central midfielder – a position he flourished in regularly during his days in Chelsea’s academy.
The youngster put in a fine display in the middle park, with 128 passes and a 94 per cent success rate, along with four key passes and seven successful tackles. His calmness on the ball was widely noted and his slick passing caught the eye as the question begins to get asked as to whether a positional change may be in the offing.
However, this is pre-season after all and we cannot read too much into formations and tactics. Eyes now turn to see whether Hall lines up against Urawa Red Diamonds and Yokohama F.Marinos in Japan this week – and if so, whether he is used in defence or midfield.
One thing is for sure about the versatile star – he looks ready to play a big part this season. That wasn’t the case earlier this year, when serious doubts had emerged over whether he had a future under Howe.
A late run of games last term – where Hall impressed in the top flight – look to have done the world of good. Now, he looks ready to kick on in the senior side this term.
The early signs this pre-season, from both Livramento and Hall, is that they are both now set for a big campaign under Howe. The big £68m gamble for two youngsters looks to have, so far, paid off.
